Originally by Kel VarnsenList RulesThe funny females on this list can be from the world of stand up comedy, television, radio or cinema.
The funniest female comedians star on our favorite sitcoms, perform standup at the top comedy clubs and best of all, make us laugh until we cry. These talented women comedians (or 'commediennes' if you're fancy) are just as funny as any male comedians, if not funnier. Plus, they get to tell female-friendly jokes that most men wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. Girl comedians can just do some jokes better than the guys can.
Alone, these female comedians are utterly hilarious on their own, but when they team up, watch out. That was exactly the case in 2011 when funny ladies like Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy teamed up with some of the funniest minds in film today to make the smash comedy hit Bridesmaids. Previously, the blonde comedian was known mainly for her many quirky characters on Saturday Night Live, but she's more than just a funny lady, she's a smart (and beautiful!) one too.
For others, the leap from the gut-busting standup acts to primetime television came after the female comedians got noticed by the networks. Chelsea Handler, Whitney Cummings and even Ellen DeGeneres all paid their dues on the standup circuit before getting their own television series.
Whether these talented female comedians make us laugh with their television shows, appear in hilarious comedy movies, are familiar faces on Comedy Central or simply provide the best hilariously inappropriate jokes on celebrity roasts, each rival any of the top male comedians in the business today. Some of them are considered to be the funniest people of all time. Have a funny lady that makes you laugh until you wet your pants? White or black, young or old, tell us your favorites by voting up the best female comedians below.
1
4,1061,284Carol Burnett
Age: 87Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American actress, comedian, singer and... more
2
4,4531,460Betty White
Age: 98Betty Marion White Ludden (born January 17, 1922) is an American actress and comedian, with... more- 34,1091,347
Lucille Ball
Dec. at 78 (1911-1989)Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedian,... more - 42,6881,014
Gilda Radner
Dec. at 43 (1946-1989)Gilda Susan Radner (June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an American comedian and actress who was... more - 54,2472,319
Tina Fey
Age: 50Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more - 63,0511,635
Kristen Wiig
Age: 47Kristen Carroll Wiig (; born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and... more - 71,814918
Madeline Kahn
Dec. at 57 (1942-1999)Madeline Gail Kahn (born Madeline Gail Wolfson; September 29, 1942 – December 3, 1999) was an... more - 82,7901,513
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Age: 59Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus Hall (; born January 13, 1961) is an American actress,... more - 93,1611,719
Melissa McCarthy
Age: 50Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more - 103,3191,842
Amy Poehler
Age: 49Amy Meredith Poehler (; born September 16, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, director,... more - 112,3691,297
Lily Tomlin
Age: 81Mary Jean "Lily" Tomlin (born September 1, 1939) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more - 121,578841
Catherine O'Hara
Age: 61Catherine Anne O'Hara (born March 4, 1954) is a Canadian actress, writer, and comedian. She... more - 131,446722
Jane Curtin
Age: 73Jane Therese Curtin (born September 6, 1947) is an American actress and comedian. She is... more - 141,538609
Kate McKinnon
Age: 36Kathryn McKinnon Berthold (born January 6, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, and... more - 151,467816
Cloris Leachman
Age: 94Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 26, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. In a... more - 161,132605
Estelle Getty
Dec. at 85 (1923-2008)Estelle Getty (née Scher; also known as Estelle Gettleman; July 25, 1923 – July 22, 2008) was... more - 17901473
Megan Mullally
Age: 61Megan Mullally (born November 12, 1958) is an American actress, comedian and singer. She is... more - 181,584967
Bea Arthur
Dec. at 87 (1922-2009)Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress... more - 191,9651,294
Maya Rudolph
Age: 48Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress, voice artist, comedian, and... more - 201,417915
Tracey Ullman
Age: 60Tracey Ullman (born 30 December 1959) is a British-American actress, comedian, singer, dancer,... more - 211,6691,023
Mary Tyler Moore
Age: 83Mary Tyler Moore is an American actress, primarily known for her roles in television sitcoms.... more - 221,195670
Vicki Lawrence
Age: 71Vicki Ann Lawrence (born Vicki Ann Axelrad; born March 26, 1949), sometimes credited as Vicki... more - 231,168646
Christina Applegate
Age: 48Christina Applegate (born November 25, 1971) is an American actress and dancer. As an... more - 24994580
Joan Cusack
Age: 57Joan Mary Cusack (; born October 11, 1962) is an American actress and comedian. She received... more - 25859445
Rhea Perlman
Age: 72Rhea Jo Perlman (born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and author, best known for her... more
